Nov. 28, 2017 by Mustang News

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

C a l Po ly, S a n Lu i s O b i s p o

w w w. m u s t a n g n ews . n e t

E s t a b l i s h e d 1 916

DO STUDENTS CARE ABOUT

CLIMATE

92.1%

SEE CLIMATE CHANGE AS A SERIOUS PROBLEM

CHANGE? CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION RESEARCH GROUP EXAMINES CAL POLY Rachel Marquardt @ CPMustangNews

A team of students have stepped into the shoes of environmental researchers to find out how their peers truly feel about climate change. A research team led by environmental management and protection senior Ben Christensen asked 728 students to take a survey with questions about climate change. “We are trying to get a better sense of where Cal Poly students were in terms of their understandings and perceptions and interactions with climate change. How do we as a campus, as a student body, feel about it?” Christensen said. “The university is committed to a whole bunch of different sustainability goals and initiatives, and it is part of the [California State University] curriculum, so the question is ‘Are we being successful with that?’”

82.1%

CLAIM THEY CURRENTLY TAKE ACTION

42.7%

CLIMATE CHANGE continued on page 2

BELIEVE THEIR PEERS CURRENTLY TAKE ACTION

LIQUOR LOCKER

DREAM WALL

Students create a device to pour the perfect shot.

Positive messages from the community come together on a wall outside Woodstock’s.

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YSABEL SULLIVAN | MUSTANG NE W S

MIKAELA DUHS | MUSTANG NE W S

Content NEWS

ASI VOTES ON HEALTH FEE .........................4 SLO TRANSIT CONTRACT.............................4 LIQUOR LOCKER FEATURE..........................8

ARTS DREAM WALL...............................................5 ‘LOVING VINCENT’.......................................5 MINIMALISM IN COLLEGE...........................6

OPINION

71.8%

87.4%

KNOW HOW TO CONTRIBUTE TO SUSTAINABILITY IN THE COMMUNITY

ARE WILLING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE ON CAMPUS

76.6%

FEEL A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TO BE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME .......................11

SPORTS SPORTS SIBLINGS ....................................14 ESPORTS: ROCKET LEAGUE .....................15

Mustang News TODAY ,S ISSUE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2017 VOLUME O, ISSUE 10

CONTACT EDITORIAL (805) 756-1796 ADVERTISING (805) 756-1143 CLASSIFIED (805) 756-1143 FAX (805) 756-6784 Graphic Arts Building 26, Suite 226 California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, CA 93407

ON THE COVER

CCARG works to combat environmental issues at Cal Poly. Photo by Rachel Marquardt, Mustang News.

CLIMATE CHANGE continued from page 1

Creating the survey The team, known as the Climate Change Action Research Group (CCARG), began this project by researching how to obtain the most accurate data from the student population. According to Christensen, there was a meta analysis of data on different climate change perspectives from outside sources. The team then consolidated this data into four general topics they wanted to explore further relating to student persepctives. These topics were students’ knowledge of environmental action strategies, students’ perception of their individual ability to create actionable change, students’ environmental attitudes and understanding and students’ individual sense of responsibility. These topics were the inspiration for the team’s official survey. It consisted of 13 statements which students responded to with a rating on a scale of 1 to 5 in which 1 corresponded with “strongly disagree” and 5 corresponded with “strongly agree.” There was also a section that focused on students’ perceptions about climate change compared to their perceptions of their peers’ opinions. Additionally, the survey asked if students felt that climate change is a serious problem, and if they felt their peers did as well. It also asked if they currently take action to reduce their carbon footprint, and if they believe their peers do as well. The Results After calculating percentages from the data they collected through their survey, CCARG drafted a 37-page report mapping the student population’s overall perception of climate change. The following percentages account for “agree” and “strongly agree” responses to the questions. Based on the CCARG survey: • 71.8 percent of students feel they know what they can do to contribute to sustainability in the community; • 87.4 percent of students are willing to

• • • • • •

make a difference on campus; 76.6 percent of students feel a sense of responsibility to help reduce human impact on the environemt; 94.2 percent of students believe climate change is real; 92.1 percent of students feel climate change is a serious problem; 74.2 percent of students believe their peers feel climate change is a serious problem; 82.1 percent of students currently take action to make changes; 42.7 percent of students believe their peers currently take action to make changes.

“A lot of people are actually supportive of the movement, but they just don’t perceive others to be as well,” Christensen said. The takeaways and the goal The results motivated the CCARG to push their research in a different direction. Overall, the student researchers believe these statistics could point students in the right direction. Environmental management and protection sophomore Logan Babcock believes it could help students to have the right mindset about climate change. “A big takeaway for students is just being aware of your impact, because it’s easy to say that Cal Poly is doing enough. But since we are Cal Poly, it really is a personal choice to make an impact and educate yourselves,” Babcock said. Their overall goal is to use this research to spur more efforts from the Cal Poly community to focus on sustainability to make a positive environmental impact on campus. “The goal of [the study] is to publish the research and gear it towards policy makers on campus, people in the sustainability community who are trying to make an initiative so that we can do it in a more informed way and a more targeted way, just getting it in the right people’s hands,” Christensen said. The group is also looking into applying to be speakers at multiple conferences to

showcase their work. “If the conferences happen, that is where [our research] will probably be showcased the most,” Babcock said. Though all the results of the survey have been calculated, the paper must be edited so the research can be fully understood by faculty and others. The call to action Along with this research, the students are writing a call-to-action paper focusing on the need for more data regarding Cal Poly’s impact on the environment. “Last year we had a couple projects going and one of them kind of just went kaput, because there wasn’t any data on it. And so what we drew from that is that there needs to be data on it,” Babcock said. CCARG member and mechanical engineering junior Jeff Wagner was a lead on this project when it started last year. “There is no numerical data on how much these practices help. I believe it helps and I want to prove that these practices help, but there’s no data to show that,” Wagner said. “This was a wake-up call for us — if we want to be proactive and if we want to be truly looking towards how we best impact the environment we need to look at how we are doing right now.” The call-to-action paper will be formatted similarly to the research paper to influence faculty and groups to keep track of their data. CCARG knows that if faculty follows through and collects this data it can be used to understand not only what Cal Poly is doing to sustain the earth, but what the students could be doing as well. “Since the university is involved in mandatory practices for students to learn about and understand climate change, their overall question is if these practices are working,” Christensen said. “We are looking to get an understanding of whether or not the sustainability in higher education is working efficiently, and what we can do in the future to impact it.” More statistical information will be available when the report is released by the CCARG.

Cal Poly ranked #13 among California colleges for future salaries This year, Cal Poly was ranked #13 among California colleges for future salaries post graduation — with a median salary of $63,100 — according to the U.S. Department of Education. Cal Poly was ranked similarly to some of the top UCs and private schools within the state, including University of California, Lost Angeles, University of California, Berkeley and Pepperdine. This ranking can be compared to the university’s Graduation Status Report (GSR) that is created each year recording specific graduation outcomes. The GSR accurately reports overall ranking and analyzes where students are going to work, what their job titles are, what their salaries are, where are they located and who the employer is. “It doesn’t surprise me. I’ve been doing the Graduation Status Report for seven years now, so I am keen to the outcomes that we produce and we have really high career outcomes,” Career Services counselor Seth Igarta said. When students finish Cal Poly, whether they go to graduate school or find employment, it is referred to as a career outcome. Career Services works diligently to get more than half of graduates to complete the GSR. The 2015-2016 GSR for this year was released in Spring 2017. Data is collected for six to nine months after students graduate, so the current GSR data is from the previous year. The data for 2016-2017 GSR is currently being collected and should be reported by Spring 2018. Cal Poly has been completing the GSR for 30 years. Igarta added that this information is important for incoming students and their parents who want to know Cal Poly’s outcome and graduate career opportunites. “Today, college is not cheap, it’s pretty expensive. People want to know that it’s going to be a good return on their investment … Cal Poly is one of the best bangs for your buck,” Igarta said. A student attending a public four-year in-state school pays about $25,290 per year, according to College Board, which includes tuition, housing and textbooks. For state schools like Cal Poly, the average cost is $26,000, but students at Universities of California (UC) can pay an avergae of $33,000 per year. Cal Poly is relatively cheaper than most UCs and private schools, so students are saving money overall, leaving with less debt and still making a substantial amount of money after college. “We are less expensive to attend and we have really great outcomes so our student’s salaries, especially going into the industry, are really high,” Igarta said. Recent graduate Ryan Holland was an aerospace engineering major at Cal Poly and now

works for Northrop Grumman, a defense contractor for military services. Holland said he is making more than the reported amount for Cal Poly graduates and feels financially secure at his first job out of college. About 25 percent of people who work at Northrop are from Cal Poly, according to Holland. He has co-workers from other prestigious institutions, but the company admires Cal Poly students because of the hands-on learning experiences they have. “The guys who went to M.I.T. or Caltech or Stanford, they’re in the same spot as we are. They make the same amount of money as us and their next job they got will be based off this job, not the degree they got and from where … If I had to do it over again, I’d do Cal Poly again, without a doubt,” Holland said.

HANNA CROWLE Y | MUSTANG NE W S

DATA | The ranking can be compared to the Graduation Status Report that records graduation outcomes.

salary, and it is probably under Cal Poly’s median salary. However, Edmonds said having the Major comparison skills for the job is the biggest pay off in the end. The GSR has a report summary for each college. “So many people that I’ve met so far in the inIgarta said that some colleges are comparable, dustry spent their first few years at their new job while others are not. Often times the outcomes learning how to do what we’ve learned in our are very different depending on what the majournalism department at Cal Poly. It’s amazing jors are. how much hands-on experience we get to do, and Career Services helps students understand this that I went into the industry, even in a market like data, especially because students pick a major San Diego, and I knew what to do exactly on the before they are at Cal Poly. first day,” Edmonds said. “Ideally for us, they see the [GSR] before they Although there is a range of incomes, students even apply so that they can see what these outleaving Cal Poly are prepared for the next steps of comes before making a decision about their lives. The GSR shows that 99 percent what’s a good major,” Igarta said. of those employed got a job within The data is also used as a nine months of graduating. developmental tool to Igarta said one of the help students undermost impressive statisstand the most comtics is that students are I tell people daily that mon outcomes in finding jobs in the field the reason I am where order to find majors they studied. From I am is because of the that resonate with the GSR, 96 percent them. of overall graduates Learn by Doing and In the 2015-2016 reported that they do what I got to do at GSR for engineering work that is related to students, 93 percent of their major. Cal Poly graduate outcomes were “That’s one of the hallALISON EDMONDS reported to be positively marks of Cal Poly, you pick engaged, meaning they are in a major and the outcome tends a job, in graduate school or have to be related to your major, higher already made a decision about what they than other institutions,” Igarta said. want to do. Only 7 percent of students were still Factors of success looking for a job when they graduated. For liberal arts students, the report showed Some of the biggest factors of Cal Poly’s success that 94 percent of graduate outcomes reported are high performing students, the faculty and being positively engaged, with only 6 percent of staff and the Learn By Doing motto, according graduates still looking for a job after graduation. to Igarta. The salaries vary for all majors as well, with “I tell people daily that the reason I am where engineering incomes at about $70,000 as the I am is because of the Learn by Doing and what starting mean salary, and liberal arts majors at I got to do at Cal Poly,” Edmonds said. about $44,000. Students at other institutions may have reCal Poly journalism graduate Alison Edmonds sumés with work that may or may be not related works as a reporter and producer for KUSI, a to their major, while students coming from Cal news station in San Diego. She said her pay for Poly will have projects that are directly related the job is an hourly rate, rather than a yearly to the jobs they are seeking.

“They’re going to be documenting hands-on technology and skill because of Learn by Doing that employers really like to see,” Igarta said. Being a highly technical university as well as being on the quarter academic system distinguish Cal Poly from other state schools, he added. Holland said his experience at Cal Poly has not only helped him get his job but continues to help him grow in his career. “I’ve had to do a lot of on-the-job learning. I’d say 80 to 90 percent of what I’ve learned so far at work I didn’t learn at school, but I wouldn’t have been able to learn it without what I did at Cal Poly,” Holland said. The GSR indicates that only about 8 percent of students got their jobs through internships. Igarta said the data on the success of internships from Cal Poly is unclear because they often go unreported. Some internships are done academically, but many are done not for credit. “I think we are working as an institution to know more about internships and who’s doing them and how they are affecting students experience and their outcomes when they finish,” Igarta said. Building relationships is one of the most important things students can do to prepare themselves for jobs after college, according to Igarta. Career Services has employer specialists whose job is to help build relationships with employers and opportunities for students in their specific college. Relationship action plans were created to help students focus on their goals and build their networks at Cal Poly. Additionally, opportunities like career fairs are opportunities for students to introduce themselves, share their resume and asks for tips and advice. “In the last 10 years, Career Services has become the relationship place. We used to be branded as the resumé place … Careers have shifted and anybody who knows how to create opportunity in the job services, it tends to come through relationships,” Igarta said.

TUESDAY • NOVEMBER 28, 2017 | NEWS | MUSTANG NEWS

Sydney Brandt @ syd_brandtt

TUESDAY • NOVEMBER 28, 2017 | NEWS | MUSTANG NEWS

ASI votes to support Health Fee increase Aidan McGloin @ mcgloin_aidan

The Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) Board of Directors voted 19 to seven to support a $99 quarterly increase of the student Health Fee at a meeting Nov. 15. Administration proposed two options for a student health fee increase. Option A included a $99 quarterly increase while Option B called for a $114 increase quarterly. The ASI Board of Directors also could have endorsed not adopting a new fee and maintaining the current health fee of $105 per quarter. The health fee was last increased in 2009. According to the Health Center’s report, the fee increase should reduce wait time for appointments from two weeks to one week, reduce walk-in wait times from two to three hours to one to 1.5 hours and increase the counselor-student ratio from 1-to-1,550 to 1-to-1,000. According to Director of Counseling Services Geneva Reynaga-Abiko, administration is also considering other options to support the Health Center. They have already explored the option of creating an

endowment, Reynaga-Abiko said, but that would cost $150 million dollars. She also said that outside health organizations have decided not to assist the university because they are unable to make a profit off students under California State University policy. ASI representatives who opposed the fee increase said they did not feel comfortable making a decision on behalf of their constituents because they only had one month to inform the student body and solicit input. As the official voice of students, they said they needed more time and more input before making a decision that reflects the views of their entire college. “We can’t reward administration with the candy they’re looking for after they spank us and say ‘Haha, I got away with it,’” Vice Chair of the Board and agricultural communications senior Haley Warner said. Other representatives said they did not believe putting the burden on students would be the best way to support the university. They believe the majority of mental health issues have to do with money. Placing a larger financial burden on students might be counterproductive to improving their mental health.

ASI BOARD

AIDAN MCGLOIN | MUSTANG NE W S

| COSAM Board representative Mitchell Collins discusses the health fee adjustment.

“One of the primary influences on poor mental health in college is financial stress,” College of Science and Mathematics Board representative and statistics senior Gianna Ciaccio said after the meeting. “While financial aid is incorporated into the fee, there are students that surpass the low-income bracket that may still struggle to afford such a fee.” Last year the Board passed a resolution to improve the Health Center, but specifically without a financial burden on students. “I would hate to hear next quarter that we come back and alternative consult-

ing is just happening,” College of Liberal Arts Board representative and political science senior Rita Elfarissi said last year. Supporters argued they were elected to make the tough decisions for their colleges, and although they did not have enough time to talk to students in their college, they should still work to improve the university. “What does a better Cal Poly look like?” College of Engineering Board representative and mechanical engineer senior John D’Ambrosio said. “I think a better Cal Poly looks like one with actual health services.”

Cal Poly supplements SLO Transit contract Aidan McGloin @ mcgloin_aidan

Cal Poly supplemented its 32-year long contract with SLO Transit with an additional flat sum of $7,889 this year to provide additional service to students, faculty and staff. The contract provides free rides for Cal Poly students, faculty and staff, and was started in 1985 to increase alternative forms of transportation for those at Cal Poly. Additionally, as of Nov. 13, SLO Transit route 3A runs every 30 minutes from 6 a.m. to noon and route 3B runs every 30 minutes from 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Routes 3A and 3B are the same route, but run in opposite directions. The changes in routes this year were not related to the contract, but were a result of a short range transit plan the city enacted to make their routes more efficient, according to San Luis Obispo’s Transit Manager Gamaliel Anguiano. The increased service is a result of the supplementation. The $7,889 came from the general alternative transportation budget, according to Associate Director of University Police for Parking Ser-

vices Marlene Cramer. The budget manages Zipcar, vanpool and ride pool and is funded through parking citations. Cramer said they had the option of allocating the $7,889 to a new bike share program but chose to focus on transit. About 62 percent of local revenue to SLO Transit comes from Cal Poly, while the rest comes from local commuters, sales of surplus property and investments. The Cal Poly population is also responsible for about 65 percent of the rides, Anguiano said. He also said that is a small portion compared to money from the federal and state governments, and that the bus service provides 1.2 million rides annually to the elderly, the homeless and regular San Luis Obispo workers, in addition to students and faculty, with limited resources. The contract was started because there was not enough campus parking to meet demand, according to a 1985 Mustang News article. According to Cramer, Cal Poly is now trying to limit parking and increase alternative transportation as part of the Master Plan. Cramer says parking is an inefficient use of space, and cars contribute 50 percent of the campus’

carbon emissions. According to Associated Students, Inc. President Riley Nilsen, Cal Poly students expressed concern with the change in service this year following a variety of problems with the system, including students being left behind at bus stops because the buses were too full. A coalition of activist groups released a survey to Anguiano

and San Luis Obispo Mayor Heidi Harmon to express their concerns. In addition, the Dean of Students office created a task-force to discuss possible solutions. “I’m very happy that we came to a resolution with the city, and I’m happy they were able to quickly add resources to solve the issue,” Cramer said.

About 62 percent of local revenue to SLO Transit comes from Cal Poly.

ROUTE 4B

AIDAN MCGLOIN | MUSTANG NE W S

| Students board Route 4B at the stop outside of Robert E. Kennedy Library.

San Luis Obispo Dream Wall connects the community An interactive art wall has been established in San Luis Obispo for community members to share their hopes and dreams. The San Luis Obispo Dream Wall is located on the side of Woodstock’s Pizza at 1000 Higuera St. Eighteenyear-old Lauren Frost created the Dream Wall with the help of her father. Creating the Wall Frost’s idea for the wall was sparked two years ago by the plethora of “interactive public art” in downtown San Luis Obispo, such as the painted utility boxes and Bubblegum Alley. She was also inspired by the concept of “Before I Die” walls, but she envisioned something less bucket list-oriented. “I wanted a place where people could share their long-term goals,” Frost said. Frost spent about a year scouting out possible locations. She needed a large, expansive wall with good foot traffic and she needed the building owner’s permission. During that time, she purchased a 4-by-8 weather-proof chalkboard “just because [my dad and I] believed in the project.” Frost began to prime and prep the board when she felt she had potentially found building owners willing to host the wall. Finally, the Rossi family, owners of Woodstock’s Pizza, approved the wall and Frost began to paint the mural. The mural includes spaces for participants to write with colorful chalk in the decorative border. Two months later, the Dream Wall was installed and

was offically revealed Oct. 15. Frost, a senior at Mission College Preparatory College High School, often visits the Dream Wall after school. She refers to herself as the “in-house janitor.” Her biggest responsibilities are to periodically erase the board and replace the chalk. Frost and her father erase blocks of writing to ensure there are spots for visitors to fill, as they have found that people are hesitant to erase others’ dreams. Before the wall was set up, Frost’s main concern was that people would deface it, but she has found that the situation has been self-policing. “People see stuff that shouldn’t be on there, and they take it upon themselves to just erase it,” Frost said. “I think that’s a testimony to how great of a community we live in.” Connecting and inspiring the community For Frost, the best part of her experience with the wall has been the interaction with its visitors. She photographs people as they write their dreams on the wall, and then shares their stories and aspirations on Instagram (@slodreamwall). “I put that my dream was to find a purpose, and to me it means pretty much everything because so often, especially as a college student, I wonder where I fit in in life and what my reason for being is,” economics freshman Eva Johnson said. “It feels good to know that the wall is there for everyone to be reminded that we all have dreams and we all have hopes, and it just seems like a really cool way to connect the community.”

‘Loving Vincent’ makes art history at Palm Theatre Cassandra Garibay @ Cassandragari

Imagine a movie in which every scene is broken down into still frames, and every still frame is hand-painted using oil paints and an impressionist style. During the course of four years, approximately one hundred artists gathered to create an entirely hand-painted movie in honor of Vincent Van Gogh. The movie “Loving Vincent” was shown across the country in smaller theaters, including San Luis Obispo’s Palm Theatre. “This is the first time anyone has ever painted a movie and animated it in this way so, to me, it is just kind of cool to be like, ‘I saw it, I was among the first. I was there the week it opened in [San Luis Obispo],’” art and design senior Kelli Chollar said. “In a really insignificant way, I was kind of a part of that art historical moment.” According to studio art and art history lecturer

Ava Werner, it took approximately 60,000 oil paintings to create the 90-minute film. “It is a testament to people’s love of [Van Gogh’s] work,” Werner said. “He is like a painter’s painter, you know. It is like painters really appreciate his painting because you really see the brush strokes and how he would make choices to not blend areas.” The film used Van Gogh’s famous landscape paintings as backgrounds and scenery, and the characters of the movie were based on his portrait paintings. The story centered around Van Gogh’s mysterious life as an artist and what may have led to his death. “The idea that [Van Gogh] only sold one work in his lifetime, and he was so misunderstood and yet now he is such a revered artist, I think people like that story and sort of mythologize that story,” Werner said. Van Gogh was a part of the impressionist

Frost has noticed that many dreams on the wall have been related to seeing more support and love in the world, from helping others to changing family dynamics. She is happy the Dream Wall is a safe space for people to find and connect with others who share their values or to simply see things from different perspectives. “It’s no longer something that I’ve made or that I’ve done,” Frost said. “With each person’s response, it becomes its own thing and it changes with each person’s dream, and I just think that’s a really cool thing.” However, in order for those dreams to manifest, Mayor Heidi Harmon believes active

ASPIRE

change is necessary. “I think it’s a small part of hopefully guiding people in a more positive way, but it’s going to take more heavy lifting to make more of a measurable difference in terms of kindness, civility and certainly on the bigger issues that were facing,” Harmon said. Harmon hopes the Dream Wall will encourage San Luis Obispo residents to reach out to one another as well as to attend city council meetings and advocate for the change they seek. She urges dreamers to ask themselves what are they willing to do to create their dreams and to take action from there.

MIKAELA DUHS | MUSTANG NE W S

| Community members have the chance to write their dreams on the mural downtown.

movement, a style of art noted for attempting that’s the way movies were intended to be seen,” to capture impressions of natural light in paintDee said. “Even ‘Loving Vincent,’ you can watch ings. However, it was not until near the end of it on your computer or on your phone but it is rehis life that Van Gogh received limited ally meant to be seen on the big screen.” recognition. Society did not truly Why Van Gogh still fasciappreciate him until years later, nates people Werner said. “He was ahead of his According to Werner, This is the first time time, I guess you would even after all this time, anyone has ever say,” Palm Theatre ownyounger generations can er Jim Dee said. “The fact appreciate Van Gogh’s painted a movie that he was forging this vibrant colors and intristyle that was so utterly cate brush strokes on an and animated it... new at the time — it’s funemotional level. KELLI CHOLLAR ny, there are movies that are “Some [students] struggle released and they don’t do well with mental illness or various and it’s over time that they [realize] things that they have to overcome that it was ahead of its time or that it and, you know, the fact that he had all was meaningful.” these problems and was still able to be so prolific and make all this beautiful work is a real testaWhy watch it on the big screen? ment to his character, and I think it is something Dee, who has owned the Palm Theatre for alstudents can relate to,” Werner said. most 30 years, said he chose to show the film Whether it be a first exposure to Van Gogh or after several locals requested it and he became a new perspective, Dee hoped that people left interested after seeing the trailer. with better knowledge of who Van Gogh was as Although the film seemed to attract an older an artist and an appreciation for a creative new audience, Dee said he felt anyone with an appreapproach to filmmaking. ciation of art and film should have an opportuni“With an understanding that the majority of ty to watch “Loving Vincent” on the big screen. students on this campus are not as in to art his“I think it’s a unique experience to see a film tory as I am, if you are going to pick a couple with an audience, like you are alone in the dark artists to know about, Van Gogh is really one of with an audience, so to speak, and also I think them,” Chollar said.

TUESDAY • NOVEMBER 28, 2017 | ARTS | MUSTANG NEWS

Emma Kumagawa @ emmakumagawa

TUESDAY • NOVEMBER 28, 2017 | ARTS | MUSTANG NEWS

BACK TO BA SICS

JAKE ERICKSON | MUSTANG NE W S

| Journalism sophomore Monique Ejenuko’s desk is topped with only the things she needs on a daily basis: books, headphones, her iPhone, a necklace and a pen.

Student adopts minimalist lifestyle in college Kayla Berenson @ kayla_berenson

Many college students come back to cluttered, messy rooms every day, rooms filled with notebooks, clothes and everything in between. However, when journalism sophomore Monique Ejenuko walks into her Poly Canyon Village apartment bedroom, she is calmed by her clear and clean living space, thanks to her newfound minimalist lifestyle. “I spent countless days coming to my dorm stressed, only to meet a cluttered bed when all I really wanted was to go to sleep,” Ejenuko said. “Some of my favorite YouTubers gave tours of their minimalist apartments and that peaked my interest.” The term “minimalism” originates from an art movement in the 1950s and ‘60s and was used in other artistic mediums like music. Studio art assistant professor Sara Frantz explained the basic, artistic definition of minimalism. “It’s essentially the most basic elements,” Frantz said. “The removal of the human touch or any presence of the human hand.” However, while some call the minimalist lifestyle “post-minimalism,” Franz said it is completely separate from the artistic meaning. Going minimalist Ejenuko decided to try living a minimalist lifestyle recently. She wasn’t happy with her freshman year and thought a new lifestyle would be a good way to reinvent herself. She began to get rid of her clutter by start-

ing with smaller, easier items. move in her sophomore year and noticed “I started with old school work, mostly,” how much lighter her load was compared Ejenuko said. “It’s much easier to trash a to the year before. study guide than it is clothing or clunky “I don’t think I inspire anyone unless they sentimental items. Popular minimalist blogs see my room, which is where my minimalism suggest asking yourself, ‘Will I use this soon? is most apparent,” Ejenuko said. If not, does it bring joy to me?’” Biological sciences sophomore Marjorie Though it was easy to start with schoolRoca shares a room with Ejenuko. Although work, Ejenuko said she found certain things, Ejenuko has had little clutter from the start, like clothing, more difficult to get rid of. Roca said she’s sometimes still surprised “I enjoy the idea of having an insane when she looks at Ejenuko’s side of the room. amount of cute outfits,” Ejenuko said. “Some“It looks like no one has moved into it,” times I’ve justified [keeping] tops or bottoms Roca said of Ejenuko’s clear space. that I’ve outgrown, hoping I’d fit Roca also said she thinks more into it eventually.” students, including herself, Now that she’s cleared should try to develop minout so much of her imalist lifestyles. room, it’s a lot easi“I think it’s excellent er for her to clean. especially since, as She said her room college students, used to take days you can save monto clean, but now ey and time,” Roca it only takes 30 said. “As for me, I minutes to an hour. think I’m gearing She also said it’s eastowards it especially ier to find things in in terms of how much her room because she clothes I bring.” SARA FRANTZ doesn’t have to go through Bringing minimalism to so many things. the future Outside perspectives on the lifestyle While Ejenuko has managed to get rid of When she first started developing her minvisible clutter in her life, she still hopes to imalist lifestyle, her friends and parents were clear out other negative aspects in the future. doubtful and believed that she was merely “I started with my room because it’s a tangood at hiding items and shoving things gible manifestation of my de-cluttering efaway. However, she said her parents saw forts,” Ejenuko said. “I still haven’t touched the positive impact when they helped her digital clutter or cutting off negative people

[Minimalism is] the removal of the human touch or any presence of the human hand.

from my life. Minimalism doesn’t have to only pertain to physical items. I’ve held on to a lot of negative ideologies that I am still slowly trying to wean off of.” Ejenuko has heard a lot of misconceptions about minimalism. People believe minimalists get rid of everything in their lives or only live black-and-white lifestyles without any bright colors. “You are not blindly getting rid of items,” Ejenuko said. “De-cluttering is an intentional process of ‘What do I need?’ and ‘What don’t I need?’ The funniest one [that I’ve heard] is that minimalism is a socially acceptable way to say you’re broke.” Though minimalism may seem extreme for some college students, Ejenuko recommends starting slowly with items that aren’t sentimental, like school work and groceries. “Start with mostly non-personal items that usually accumulate over a quarter: old school work and stray flyers,” Ejenuko said. “I found that was a bulk of my clutter. Also, examine your fridge and try to use up your groceries in different recipes or try not duplicating groceries. I’ve seen a lot of food go to waste [in that way].” She advises students interested in adopting the minimalist lifestyle to learn what minimalism truly is and to not feel pressured to get rid of too many items. “Minimalism isn’t a competition to have the least amount of items,” Ejenuko said. “It’s keeping items, ideologies … that you actually need, so once you understand that, you are liberated from the pressure of the having the least amount of items.”

TUESDAY • NOVEMBER 28, 2017 | NEWS | MUSTANG NEWS

Liquor Locker:

Students create an at-home bar Frances Mylod-Vargas Special to Mustang News

The strong smell of wood finish and stain lingered in the air of the Industrial Technology Fabrication Space. Whiteboards listed out long to-do lists and goggle-clad students crowded around large tables, measuring, sawing and cutting. This lab is located on the outskirts of campus near Engineering West (building 21). It serves as the headquarters for the production of the Liquor Locker, an at-home beverage dispenser created by a team of 14 industrial technology and packaging (ITP) seniors at Cal Poly. Liquor Locker is the product of Applied Business Operations (ITP 467), a capstone class for ITP students. The instructor, ITP professor Jim Bentley, describes the course as a culmination of the ITP curriculum. It combines everything from business management to marketing strategies as students come up with the idea for a product, manufacture it en masse and market it to an audience with the goal of selling every unit. “It’s set up to be as much of a real world experience as possible,” Bentley said. “I tell [the students] initially, ‘I want to pop the bubble of academia and throw you into what life is like in the working world.’” On the first day of class, each student arrived with 20 product ideas prepared. After a couple debates and brainstorming sessions, the concept of the Liquor Locker evolved from scouring Pinterest for a creative idea and

the group’s shared love for hosting guests. Liquor Locker was an attractive idea because of its originality, Assistant Operations Manager of Liquor Locker and ITP senior Madison Fleming said. “All of us had never seen anything quite like it; it’s a pretty original and unique idea, and we thought that worked well considering this is a student project. We wanted to create something you can’t buy anywhere else,” Fleming said. Liquor Locker, the product The finished Liquor Locker is comprised of sealed and stained wood, welded metal and plastic spouts assembled to create a rustic-looking mini-bar. The display includes three spouts, each with liquor bottles mounted on top, turned upside down and held secure. The two side spouts release exactly one fluid ounce of liquor into a shot glass, while the middle spout is free flowing for wine and beer. “The Liquor Locker is an aesthetically pleasing, alcohol-dispensing mini-bar that allows anyone at home to craft the perfect beverage. You don’t have to be a bartender to make the perfect drink each time,” Fleming said. The Liquor Locker team created their first prototype in mid-October. Now, their goal is to produce and sell 130 units before finals week. Most team members can still be found in the industrial technology labs every day of the week, sometimes staying until 11 p.m.

A Learn by Doing experience In their lab sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays, the team worked on preparing raw materials to be used for assembling the final product. Wood had to be cut, sealed, stained and glued together to form the shelves of the Liquor Locker. Metal was stripped and cut so it was ready for welding. Welding itself is an intense process and requires accuracy and precision so the team can properly assemble the final product. Working in lab can be stressful. Bentley oversees the students’ work, but doesn’t make it easy. “I want to put up obstacles, but not barriers. I want things to be hard, but not impossible. And the reason is that is if it’s easy, nobody learns anything,” Bentley said. “If it’s hard and they overcome those obstacles, they learn a heck of a lot, and that’s the goal of the class.” Fleming described herself as a floater in lab, helping assign tasks to people during the manufacturing process and contributing when necessary. Meanwhile, those not involved in the manufacturing process usually monitor sales, update social media, write the production manual and work on marketing campaigns. “There’s a lot of specific roles, but we’ve found that over the course of time people’s strengths come out,” Fleming said. “It’s more about accentuating people’s strengths on the team.”

IN HOUSE

YSABEL SULLIVAN | MUSTANG NE W S

| Students manufacture more than 60 percent of the products themselves on campus.

A HELPING HAND

SPARKS

YSABEL SULLIVAN | MUSTANG NE W S

| Samuel Alvarez (left) talks with ITP professor Jim Bentley (right).

YSABEL SULLIVAN | MUSTANG NE W S

| An ITP student welds outside the Industrial Technology Fabrication Space.

TUESDAY • NOVEMBER 28, 2017 | NEWS | MUSTANG NEWS

Unifying the team Bentley’s very first class assignment was a barbecue to foster community within each team. “It’s my first assignment so that people get to know each other and work together as a team. My biggest mission in the first half of the quarter is to get the teams to build and mend and work well together – once that happens then the rest of it comes together,” Bentley said. The Liquor Locker team started out as the “quietest group” at the beginning of the course, but managed to warm up to each other after working together for a quarter. Their work sessions in lab include high spirits and friendly banter. “We now know each other well and have our inside jokes. We have a good balance of play time and work time in the lab – I think it’s important to keep up that play time because it’s good for morale and keeps us close as a team,” Fleming said. The class itself has equipped the students with real-world skills related to creating a company and overseeing the manufacturing process of a product. The project has brought unique experience to the students who, in 10 weeks, have essentially created a company. Though they’re proud of their finished product, the team said they don’t yet have future plans for continuing production of the Liquor Locker after fall quarter.

The case for Universal Basic Income Chase Dean @ Chdean96

Chase Dean is a political science senior and Mustang News columnist. The views expressed in this column do not reflect the viewpoints and editorial coverage of Mustang News. The United States of America is hurtling toward two major economic crises. The social security trust fund is projected to be tapped out by 2034. In addition, continual growth in automation is leaving Americans without jobs. According to some reports, manual labor-intensive jobs won’t be the only victims. With the growing uncertainty surrounding employment and social safety nets, a solution must be implemented. There is one solution that addresses both crises: Universal Basic Income (UBI). UBI is a social program through which all working-age individuals receive a cash payment unconditionally on a regular basis. In other words, regardless of employment status or other characteristics, each American would receive enough money to stay above the poverty line. Both those on the left and right have worked to reduce the number of people trapped in poverty. Conservatives, such as economist Milton Friedman, tend to be hesitant with welfare programs due to the government spending often attached and concern with the “free-rider” problem. However, individuals on the left, such as Senator Bernie Sanders, end to support more generous welfare programs.These individuals point to inequality and poor job prospects

as the issue, making welfare programs a necessity. UBI, however, is a possible feasible bipartisan solution to welfare policy concerns and growing economic issues. With the introduction of UBI, funding for other anti-poverty programs like social security could be condensed. This would only be possible if the UBI eliminates the need for older generations to work and is sufficient to buy basic necessities so that the original purposes of the other programs are upheld. UBI might be able to satisfy conservative policymakers by allowing the individual to have more purchasing power while cutting government spending through the consolidation of all previous welfare programs. For liberal policymakers, this would provide an income for every working-age individual in the United States that would be sufficient to keep most out of poverty. This policy clearly wouldn’t directly solve many structural issues such as job discrimination and the ever-increasing wealth gap, but it would alleviate some in poverty. With reports projecting that as many as half of the jobs held by humans may be replaced by machines in the foreseeable future, many tech leaders like CEO of SpaceX, Tesla and Neuralink Elon Musk seem to think UBI could be necessary. A UBI program would allow the United States to recover from this inevitable unemployment spike in a timely manner. With a UBI program in place, individuals won’t have to worry about quickly falling into poverty because they lack the tech-orienated skills necessary for new jobs. That being said, those workers should still be given the opportunity to train in the skills deemed necessary to be com-

petitive, regardless of the implementation of UBI. The program would simply give them the financial security and time to obtain those skills. As time goes on, fewer unemployed individuals would be dependent upon the program and many would be able to re-enter the workforce with newly obtained skills while those unable to obtain in-demand skills can live comfortably. The subject of time is something that I think makes UBI such an immensely important policy. While UBI solves many political and economic issues soon to be facing the United States, it also establishes a precedent for the country by establishing that free time to pursue hobbies and various other personal activities is something of value. Hopefully, when UBI is implemented, many individuals will be able to work fewer hours with more time for personal activities. Regardless of how a majority of individuals choose to spend that new time, some will most certainly engage in political action. With more time for political action, citizens of the United States will be able to fight back against systems of oppression through voting vand protesting. UBI may not be the answer to all of the United States’ economic and social problems, but it’s a step in the right direction. With favorable traits for both conservatives and liberals, UBI is a bipartisan program that can help fight poverty and unemployment caused by further machine-based industrialization. It will also increase constituents’ free time, creating a country that will see political activism like never before. If policymakers are serious about eliminating poverty and creating a more politically engaged constituency, UBI should be taken seriously.

$6,747,439

HOUSEHOLD INCOME

(U.S. AVERAGE INCOME, 2015) $1,363,977

$34,074

$312,536

$477,293

Bottom 90%

Top 10%

Top 5%

SOURCE: EMMANUEL SAEZ | UC BERKELE Y

Top 1%

Top 0.1%

TUESDAY • NOVEMBER 28, 2017 | OPINION | MUSTANG NEWS

OPINION

PUZZLES Sudoku Fun By The Numbers Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test! Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a

Guess Who? I am an actor born in Wisconsin on November 22, 1967. My father worked as a painter and my mother as a hairdresser when I was a child. I earned an Academy Award nomination in 2010 and hulked up to play a character in the “Avengers” franchise.

*See answers at mustangnews.net

sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

Word Scramble Rearrange the letters to discover something pertaining to soccer.

R E H C E

CLUES ACROSS

CLUES DOWN

1. Holds candles 7. In possession of 10. Rodents 12. Type of cofactor (Brit. sp.) 13. Hard candy on a stick 14. Animal of the weasel family 15. Things that should not be overlooked 16. “Silence” author 17. Dried, split lentils 18. People native to Ghana 19. Barros and Gasteyer are two 21. British thermal unit 22. Large oblong hall 27. Ethnic group in Asia 28. Holiday decoration 33. Milliliter 34. Open 36. Health physics concept (abbr.) 37. Tantric meditation 38. Where golf games begin 39. Birth swine 40. Rip 41. Remove 44. Puts together in time 45. Rotary engines 48. Skeletal structure 49. Member of a labor organization 50. Japanese classical theater 51. Undergarments

1. “Snake Tales” cartoonist 2. Religious group 3. Singer Redding 4. __ and tuck 5. Head honcho 6. Second sight 7. Composer 8. About aviation 9. Senior officer 10. Forecasts weather 11. Seasoned Hungarian soup 12. Town in Hesse, Germany 14. Thought to derive from meteorites 17. Hit lightly 18. Seemingly bottomless chasm 20. Title of respect 23. Warms up 24. Man and Wight are two 25. Type of scan 26. Atomic mass unit 29. Article 30. Incriminate 31. Passes by 32. Most nerve-inducing 35. David Alan Grier sitcom 36. Achieve 38. Freshwater fish 40. Beginner 41. Dark brown or black 42. A newlywed wears one 43. DiFranco and Vardanyan are two 44. Diego, Francisco, Anselmo 45. Ancient Egyptian King 46. Old name (abbr.) 47. Brazilian city (slang)

HOROSCOPES HOROSCOPES

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LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra,–this is 23/Oct a good 23 week to take stock LIBRA Sept of theit people whoeverything mean the is most to you. Libra, seems like making you Expressthese yourdays. feelings these people nostalgic Callto your family andand spend them. reflect onsome sometime goodwith times, but don’t dwell on the past. It’s time to make new memories. TAURUS– –Apr Apr21/May 21/May SCORPIO – Oct 22Tuesday. TAURUS 2121 Order an extra cup24/Nov of coffee Taurus, letting go is a hard lesson to learn A little dose of being naughty might do you You’re feeling extra grateful for the people You may have to retire a plan some good this24/Nov week, Scorpio. Call in sick in this yourweek. life, Taurus. Especially around the that SCORPIO – Oct 22 just can’t to fruition. But don’t worry, It’sfrom anda enjoy a day shopping holidays, let come them know how much you care. timework to plan vacation, Scorpio. Youor simnew ideas are in the works. ply indulging in a little entertainment. Drink a warm espresso Monday morning. deserve to take a break from all the hard work you’ve been putting into work and relationGEMINI––May May22/Jun 22/Jun SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec GEMINI 2121 ships. Drink something with an21 umbrella in it Gemini, try not to hold onto negative emoYou have basic needs that have to be You can’t catch a break, lately Gemini. Your Friday night. tions.opinions Focus onhave all of theinhappy memories met, and a strong network of friends and divisive you hot water. Try have madeDrink with others your mood coworkers can–get through to you make amends. purpleand Gatorade SAGITTARIUS Novyou 23/Dec 21 any rough will instantly brighten. patch, Sagittarius. Thursday. You’re one busy bee Sagittarius! Work is very important to you, but don’t make it neglect CANCER– –Jun Jun22/Jul 22/Jul CAPRICORN Dec 22/Jan CANCER 2222 other important–areas of your20 life. Make yourHonesty the best policy, Cancer. have self Capricorn, you can’t narrow it The future is weighs heavy on your heart,SoCanan Arnoldalthough Palmer Sunday afternoon. that frank conversation with someone even down just yet, something doesn’t feel right cer. Remember to be present, you’re not doing if full disclosure can be a bit unnecessaruncomfortable. CAPRICORN in your world. Keep22/Jan investigating and trust yourself any favors by worrying – Dec 20 you’ll glad you did. your instincts. ily.Afterward, Treat yourself to abemilkshake Saturday Decisions, decisions, Capricorn! You’re logical afternoon. nature has you stressing about whether you’re LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 a pro/con list making the right choices. Make Don’t underestimate youDrink have reached crossroads LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 your abilities, Leo. You toAquarius, help you out. root beeraWednesday. are imaginative and creative when the mood where everything you have dreamed and Leo, you feel on top of the world! Your bright suits you, as it will this week. Look for your worked for has finally converged. This is the personality has been infectious to those AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 museyou and—get started. time to enjoy fruits of all your around keep it up! Order a fun cocktail Aquarius, you’vethe been doubting yourlabor. talents Thursday night. lately. Be confident in your abilities and don’t VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Feb 19/Mar 20 in a while. Drink bePISCES afraid to– take a risk once Virgo,–stay to external influences and eggnog Pisces, rather VIRGO Augopen 24/Sept 22 Dec. 1. than looking at the differencyou may able to infer some things about es between you and someone else, look at You’ve had be conflicting feelings about an issue, the future that can guide you in the days the similarities. This20 is a great way to begin Virgo. Your allegiances to different people in PISCES – Feb 19/Mar ahead. It’sbeing good tested. to stayMake aheadsure of the a friendship. your life are youcurve. are Big emotions are filling you, Pisces. Are you doing the right thing. Drink fresh squeezed sure you’re putting your energy in what really lemonade Wednesday. matters? Drink milk Thursday morning.

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TUESDAY • NOVEMBER 28, 2017 | SPORTS | MUSTANG NEWS

It’s comforting to have family really close and I think it’s brought us closer together so far. LINDSEY CHALMERS

IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY

CHALMERS FAMILY | COURTE SY PHOTO

| Junior Lindsey Chalmers and freshman Zach Chalmers are both pitchers for the Mustangs and both might have the chance to play professionally in their respective sports.

Sibling love shines in Cal Poly sports Megan Healy @ HealyMegan

Sports are enjoyable to play, but even better when you are sporting a sibling teammate. At Cal Poly, several students share a sibling on the field. Lindsey and Zach Chalmers Both junior starting pitcher Lindsey Chalmers (softball) and freshman pitcher Zach Chalmers (baseball) showed an early interest in America’s greatest pastime. They also fell in love with the San Luis Obispo area and the athletic programs they now play for, which were two major factors when committing to Cal Poly. As the only siblings in their family, Lindsey and Zach have strengthened their bond that started in their hometown of San Ramon, California once moving to San Luis Obispo. “It’s comforting to have family really close and I think it’s brought us closer so far,” Lindsey said. “Yeah, it’s nice to have someone who has experienced college and be able to ask them questions,” Zach said. The Chalmer’s don’t consider themselves competitive towards each other. Their biggest arguments when they were little were over the TV remote. “Parents would have to intervene,” Zach said. “We would get a yell from upstairs.” “We’d have to hug it out,” Lindsey said. Instead of bickering over which show to watch, the sister and brother now support each other’s future endeavors.

Zach wants to continue his baseball career outside Cal Poly and possibly get drafted into Major League Baseball. Lindsey agreed that he was capable of doing so. “He’s just been known to be big and strong for his age,” Lindsey said. Despite both having seasons in the spring, the Chalmers siblings are still able to cheer each other on because Lindsey frequently plays morning games while Zach’s games usually start in the evening. Traveling to watch his older sister play is not unfamiliar for Zach, as he traveled a lot with their parents to watch Lindsey play the last three years. “[Lindsey] is calm-minded, not a lot bothers her, which helps during the game,” Zach said. Taylor and Darren Nelson For freshman pitcher and designated hitter Darren Nelson (baseball) and his sister, senior setter Taylor Nelson (volleyball), athleticism and competition run in the family. These two of the three Nelson siblings followed in their parent’s footsteps, attending the same college and playing the same sports. “Since we’ve been able to walk, we were put into sports,” Darren said. Parents Rich and Vera Nelson both sported green and gold jerseys, playing baseball and volleyball respectively. Coincidentally, Vera played on the same team as outside hitters Adlee and Torrey Van Winden’s mom, Kelly Stand Van Winden. The siblings joked about their competitive nature and said it’s never clear who

the true winner is when it’s time for family game night. “I just always win,” Darren said. “No way!” Taylor fired back. “None of us are very good losers in the family.” The Nelsons have developed an even tighter bond while being together at Cal Poly, especially when they are missing their family back in Granite Bay, California. “It’s nice just to have a family member here,” Taylor said. “Whenever we’re homesick, we’ll cook dinner together or go grocery shopping.” Taylor shares her car and runs errands with Darren since freshmen are not allowed to have cars on campus this year. Darren added that he is thankful for his sister’s presence at the school. “I’ve always wanted to come here since I was a little kid and once [Taylor] came here, I just knew it was another plus to it,” Darren said. Despite their playful sibling rivalry, they still attend and support each other at their sporting events as much as they can, even though Taylor still thinks she could beat her younger brother in Nintendo Wii Baseball. Dynn and Lynn Leaupepe Senior guards Dynn and Lynn Leaupepe are the two stars of the Cal Poly women’s basketball team after years of sharing the court. This past month, the twins were chosen for the preseason All-Big West Conference women’s basketball team for their impressive seasons last year. Dynn broke the single-season school record for free-throw percentage last season

while also averaging 14.8 points. Lynn tied for second-most double-doubles in the conference with nine and recorded 14.7 average points per game. The Leaupepes look to each other for inspiration and support but also constructive criticism. “It’s really fun. You always have someone there with you and someone there always to critique you on whatever you’re doing,” Dynn said. “Getting that feedback is super helpful.” Even though they frequently compete for the same accolades, such as Conference Player of the Week, the sisters recognize the other’s strengths. “For [Dynn], it’s definitely her jump shot, off the dribble,” Lynn said. “I really enjoy watching her do that.” “And for [Lynn], her intensity and relentlessness on the [offensive] boards, call her Superwoman,” Dynn said. “So you guys have to watch out for that.” Lynn humbly smiled and shook her head. According to both Dynn and Lynn, even head coach Faith Mimnaugh sometimes calls them by the wrong name. “If people aren’t sure at all they’ll just call us ‘the twins,’” Dynn said. They have a powerful unspoken language on the court that helps them create an advantage over their opponent. “A lot of people don’t expect it, but we’re the only ones who know it’s coming,” Dynn said. Both players are excited about their senior year on the team as they start their conference play in January.

Rocket League launches into nationals It’s a game of skill, precision and reflexes. It’s also been described as rocket-powered cars playing soccer. It’s the video game Rocket League, and three Cal Poly students are preparing to face off against other universities for $50,000 in college scholarships. In Rocket League, players accelerate, flip and fly their cars around an arena, looking to launch an enlarged soccer ball into the opponent’s goal while protecting their own net. The team with the most points after five minutes wins. If the score is tied, the game is decided in sudden death overtime. The Cal Poly Rocket League club is dominating the competition. The team is headed to the National Championship of the Collegiate Rocket League (CRL) after going undefeated in Western Conference play. This performance was expected, according to

physics sophomore and team captain Michael “43” Menhennet. “We consider ourselves the best,” Menhennet said. “We shouldn’t be losing to anyone.” Menhennet formed the team last spring. At the time, there were no prizes to win. “At first, it was just playing for the school and for fun,” Menhennet said. At the time, Menhennet was joined by biology sophomore Aseem “Stay-at-Home Savage” Jain. “We mostly played it for fun but now … [we] can pay for college from it,” Jain said. Taking first place at the CRL National Championship would earn each player $5,000. These heightened stakes brought more competition to the arena. More than 400 teams from colleges across North America competed in an open qualifier for the first season of the CRL. Cal Poly’s two teams ranked in the top eight of the west, advancing to league play. Esports is a fast-growing industry and more opportunities to compete are emerging for collegiate players. The team is part of the Cal Poly Esports Club, which manages teams in many other Esports. While the hope is that Esports at Cal Poly will eventually be supported by the school — similarly to UC Irvine’s program with athletic scholarships for players and a dedicated Esports arena — Cal Poly Rocket League team’s focus is to win a title first. “We’d like a sponsor for things like jerseys and equipment, but mostly the goal is for us to win,” Menhennet said. Becoming the best in the west Rocket League may be a simple game to understand, but it requires many hours of practice. On average, each Cal Poly player logs 16.5 hours of Rocket League a week. It takes training for a player to learn how to shoot the ball precisely, position properly and handle their mistakes. The amount of time the team has put into becoming some of the best Rocket League players is what has led them to dominate in the CRL. “It’s how many hours you can put into a game,” Jain said. “It’s way more of how much you can put your mind to it than the physical aspect.” Since Rocket League is a fluid game with few stoppages in play, it’s important for the team to communicate properly. “There are no real positions,” Menhennet said. “It’s all a rotation, we all have to do everything. Just relying on where each other are and knowing how we all play helps us.”

BRIAN TRUONG | MUSTANG NE W S

LIFT OFF | The Rocket League club has quickly risen to the top of the West Region in their first season. The Cal Poly roster was solidified with the addition of freshman Jack “Twice The Tang” Fargassi. “I actually knew [Menhennet] online before I even knew I was going to Cal Poly,” Fargassi said. The two had played Rocket League with and against each other online, and realized the potential for competing in the CRL. With three highly ranked players, the team developed good chemistry by playing together. This roster has beaten every opponent they have faced in the CRL. Beating the competition Cal Poly was granted an automatic bye into the semifinals of the Regional Championship. The number one-seeded Cal Poly team only needed to take down the University of Arizona to qualify for the regional finals and for a spot at the National Championship. “I think the [University of Arizona] game was where all the nerves were at,” Jain said. “So each game was continually tense.” The number four-seeded Wildcats traded blows with the Mustangs, as the best-ofseven match was tied at 2-2. After going scoreless for most of the fifth game, Arizona scored a late goal to put Cal Poly down 0-1. The Mustangs quickly fired back, as Menhennet and Jain both scored within the same minute. “That was a huge relief to see,” Fargassi said. “It was just instant momentum reversal.” A 4-2 win put the Mustangs at match point. In game six, Fargassi scored in the final minute to eliminate Arizona with the 1-0 win. Cal Poly went on to play Cal Poly Pomona in the regional finals. “Against [Cal Poly Pomona], we had already secured the nationals spot, so that was just a big weight lifted off of our chests,” said Menhennett. However, the match had a tense start. After going 2-2 in regulation, the first game

went to overtime. The extra period was unusually long, extending the game by almost eight minutes. “It adds a bit of stress, but when you get past a certain point you’re just auto-piloting,” Menhennet said. After a nail-biting back-and-forth overtime, it was Menhennet that tipped the ball in for the game-winning goal. “It was a feeling of relief and excitement,” Menhennet said. The win for the Mustangs set the tone for the rest of the match. Cal Poly quickly won the next two games, bringing themselves one win away from taking first place in the conference. In game four, the score remained tied at 1-1 after Menhennet came up with a last-second save to send the game to overtime. The team captain followed up the game-saving play with the game-winning goal just 12 seconds into overtime. Looking ahead to nationals As the number one seed from the Western Conference, Cal Poly joins seven other colleges in the double-elimination bracket. The team’s first match will be against Northeastern University, the number one seed from the Eastern Conference. As the only other team to go undefeated in their conference, the Paws have given the Mustangs trouble in the past. It’s a rematch from the CRL Summer Series, where Northeastern edged out Cal Poly for the win. However, the new iteration of the Cal Poly team is more confident. “That’s our match to win,” Jain said. “It’s kind of like coming back and proving we can beat them. [Northeastern University] is the team to beat.” The CRL National Championships will kickoff Dec. 10. All matches will be broadcasted live. “I expect a win,” Jain said. “I don’t expect it to be super easy, but I think we should clinch the number one spot.”

TUESDAY • NOVEMBER 28, 2017 | SPORTS | MUSTANG NEWS

Brian Truong @ crusaderkitten

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